Climbing equipment to inhibit access to climbing route and methods to use the same

ABSTRACT

A piece of equipment for climbing includes a barrier sheet, a carabiner receiver, and at least one anchor receiver. The barrier sheet has at least one lateral dimension that is sufficiently wide to effectively block access to hand holds at least at a start of a climbing route on a portion of the climbing wall when the carabiner is received by the carabiner receiver and a piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope to which the carabiner is physically coupled is under tension. Related methods of use and kits of the climbing equipment are also provided.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to climbing equipment, and moreparticularly, to climbing equipment that inhibits access to climbingroutes.

2. Description of the Related Art

Rock climbing is a popular sport that attracts climbers of all ages withvarious degrees of proficiency. Climbers may engage in rock climbing inan outdoor environment or in indoor gymnasiums. Outdoor environmentstypically include natural rock, while indoor gymnasiums typicallyinclude artificial climbing walls. The artificial walls often consist ofplywood, with a textured surface, and numerous fastener openings.Climbing routes are established on an artificial wall by fasteningartificial holds to the artificial wall with a threaded fastener.

In order to provide climbers with a safe climbing environment,precautionary techniques, commonly referred to as belaying are utilized.When manual belaying, a first climbing partner acts as an anchor andcontrols one end of a climbing rope while a second climbing partner tiedto the other end of the climbing rope climbs. The stationary firstclimbing partner controls the feeding of the climbing rope as the secondclimbing partner ascends. During a fall, the stationary first climbingpartner stops the feeding of the rope, limiting or braking the climber'sfall. As a standard part of manual belaying, the climbing partners checkeach other's setup prior to starting to climb. Thus, each partner willcheck to ensure the other climber has correctly tied or physicallycoupled (i.e., “roped in”) into the climbing rope. This double checkprotocol is a key component to preventing accidents.

When auto-belaying, a single climber typically physically couples an endof a piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope to his or her harness(i.e., “ropes in”), for example via a carabiner. The other end of pieceof webbing, cable or climbing rope is coupled to an auto-belay device.The auto-belay device is typically a mechanical device, such as anarrangement of hydraulically operated pulleys or an arrangement ofspring loaded reels, for instance an inertial clutch. The auto-belaydevice automatically retracts climbing rope as the climber ascends,removing slack from the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope. In theevent of a fall, the auto-belay device deploys or pays out webbing,cable or climbing rope at a controlled rate, thereby controlling a speedat which the climber falls. In contrast to manual belaying, when usingan auto-belay device there typically is no partner to check and confirmthat the climber has correctly physically coupled his or her harness tothe piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope. Even experience climbersmay forget to “rope in” at times, and start to climb without realizingthat they are not actually belayed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, the pieces of climbing equipment, kits, and methods aredirected to inhibiting a climber's access to climbing routes, forexample climbing routes that are protected by auto-belay devices in sucha manner that the climber has to take some affirmative action prior toascending.

One aspect of a piece of climbing equipment may be summarized asincluding a barrier sheet, a carabiner receiver, and at least one anchorreceiver. The barrier sheet may have a top portion, a bottom portionvertically opposed across the barrier sheet from the top portion, and atleast one lateral dimension.

The carabiner receiver may be at least proximate to the top portion,with the carbineer receiver having an opening sized and dimensioned toremovably receive at least a portion of the carabiner therethrough.

The at least one anchor receiver may be at least proximate to the bottomportion, with each of the at least one anchor receiver having an openingsized and dimensioned to receive a stem portion of an anchor fastenertherethrough and to prevent passage of a head portion of the anchorfastener therethrough, to fixedly anchor the barrier sheet to at leastone of a floor or a climbing wall proximate the floor.

Further, the at least one lateral dimension of the barrier sheet may besufficiently wide to effectively block access to a climbing route on aportion of the climbing wall when the carabiner is received by thecarabiner receiver, and a piece of webbing, a cable or a climbing ropeto which the carabiner is physically coupled is under tension.

In other aspects, a kit to secure climbing routes on climbing walls maybe summarized as including a number of anchor fasteners and a barrier.The barrier may include a barrier sheet which is triangular in shape, acarabiner receiver, and at least one anchor receiver. The barrier sheetmay have a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one lateraldimension. The carabiner receiver may be at least proximate the topportion, with the carbineer receiver having an opening sized anddimensioned to removably receive at least a portion of the carabinertherethrough. The at least one anchor receiver may be at least proximatethe bottom portion, with each of the at least one anchor receiver havingan opening sized and dimensioned to receive a stem portion of an anchorfastener therethrough and to prevent passage of a head portion of theanchor fastener therethrough, to fixedly anchor the barrier sheet to atleast one of a floor or a climbing wall proximate the floor. The kit mayalso include a tether, an additional carabiner for the tether, andadditional fastener(s) for the tether.

Further, the at least one lateral dimension of the barrier sheet may besufficiently wide to effectively block access to a climbing route on aportion of the climbing wall when the carabiner is received by thecarabiner receiver and a piece of webbing, a cable or a climbing rope towhich the carabiner is physically coupled is under tension.

In a further aspect, a method of use of a piece of equipment forclimbing may be summarized as including positioning a barrier sheet infront of a climbing route on a climbing wall, with the barrier sheethaving a top portion, a bottom portion vertically opposed across thebarrier sheet from the top portion, and at least one lateral dimension.The method may include anchoring the bottom portion of the barrier sheetto at least one of a floor or the climbing wall proximate the floor infront of the climbing route. The method may further include detachablycoupling the top portion of the barrier sheet to a carabiner coupled toa piece of webbing, a cable or a climbing rope that is for the climbingroute.

In another aspect, the method may also include removing the carabinerfrom a carabiner receiver to gain access to the climbing route. In astill further aspect, the method may include attaching the carabiner toa climbing harness after removing the carabiner from the carabinerreceiver, with the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope attached tothe climbing wall via an auto-belay device; detaching the carabiner fromthe climbing harness after climbing; and reattaching the carabiner tothe top portion of the barrier sheet after detaching the carabiner fromthe climbing harness to subsequently deny access to the climbing route.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements.For clarity of illustration, similar elements within a figure may onlybe called out for a representative element of similar elements. Ofcourse, any number of similar elements may be included in the barriersheets, and the number of similar elements shown in a drawing isintended to be illustrative, not limiting. The sizes and relativepositions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn toscale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are notdrawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged andpositioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapesof the elements as drawn have been solely selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1A is an isometric environmental view showing a barrier sheetinstalled to a climbing wall and an auto-belay device, wherein thebarrier sheet is inhibiting a climber's access to a climbing route.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged isometric view showing a threaded receiving holein the climbing wall and a complementary anchor bolt to couple thebarrier sheet to the climbing wall.

FIG. 1C is an enlarged isometric view showing a threaded fastenerextending through a climbing hold.

FIG. 2 is an isometric environmental view of the barrier sheet of FIG. 1in the uninstalled position, wherein the auto-belay device is attachedto a climber's harness prior to the climber embarking on the climbingroute.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a barrier sheet to inhibit access to theclimbing route, according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed toward climbing equipmentand methods to inhibit access to climbing routes, particularly where anauto-belay device is employed. The following detailed description andcorresponding figures are intended to provide an individual of ordinaryskill in the art with enough information to enable that individual tomake and use embodiments of the invention. Such an individual, however,having read this entire detailed description and reviewed the figures,will appreciate that modifications can be made to the illustrated anddescribed embodiments, and/or elements removed therefrom, withoutdeviating from the spirit of the invention. It is intended that all suchmodifications and deviations fall within the scope of the invention, tothe extent they are within the scope of the associated claims.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1A shows an indoor climbing facility 100, such as an indoorclimbing gym. The indoor climbing facility 100 includes a climbing wall110 that is oriented generally vertically with respect to a structuralfloor 120 of the indoor climbing facility 100 and extending to a ceiling170. Although the climbing wall 110 shown is substantially flat, as canbe appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art,the climbing wall 110 may include a textured surface, and may alsoinclude one or more features replicating rocks, ridges, aretes, roofs,cracks, etc. While described as generally vertical, climbing walls maybe angled with respect to a structural floor 120, for example sloped ata positive angle or overhanging at a negative angle.

The climbing wall 110 includes a plurality of threaded apertures 112spread across the climbing wall 110. The threaded apertures aretypically in a grid or two-dimensional array pattern, although such isnot necessary. However, these threaded apertures 112 are provided toallow the attachment of artificial climbing holds 114 to the climbingwall 110. As best seen in FIG. 1C, a climbing hold 114 may include oneor more apertures 113 (one shown) extending therethrough. A fastener116, for example a threaded bolt, extends through this aperture 113 inorder to fasten the climbing hold 114 to the climbing wall 110 via thethreaded apertures 112. More particularly, the climbing holds 114 areused to define a climbing route 130. In order for a climber 132 to climbthe climbing wall 110, the climber 132 uses the climbing holds 114 tograb or step on as the climber 132 ascends the climbing wall 110.Positioning the climbing holds 114 over the climbing wall 110 in aparticular pattern defines the climbing route 130 taken by the climber132.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, the indoor climbing facility 100also includes one or more auto-belay devices 150 (one shown). Theauto-belay device 150 may be installed physically coupled to theclimbing wall 110, or alternatively to a ceiling 170 of the indoorclimbing facility 100. An upper end of a piece of webbing, cable orclimbing rope 152 is coupled to the auto-belay device 150 with a lowerend of the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152 hanging down atleast to a point reachable by a climber while on the structural floor120. Typically a carabiner 153 is coupled to the lower end of the pieceof webbing, cable or climbing rope 152. When not in use, the lower endof the climbing rope 152 is typically anchored to the climbing wall 110or structural floor 120, the auto-belay device 150 maintaining tensionin the climbing rope. When in use, the climber 132 is coupled to thelower end of the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152, typicallyvia the carabiner 153 which is coupled to a climbing harness 142 worn bythe climber 132. In use, the auto-belay device 150 retracts or reels inthe climbing rope 152 to take up slack as the climber 132 ascends and/orto control the climber's 132 descent or fall.

To prevent a climber from accidentally forgetting to “rope in” beforestarting to climb, the indoor climbing facility 100 may employ a pieceof equipment or barrier 140 which is the subject of this application.The piece of equipment or barrier 140 includes a barrier sheet 160. Thebarrier sheet 160 is positioned at least proximal to the structuralfloor 120 and supported such that the barrier sheet 160 blocks access tothe initial hand holds 114 or lower portion of the climbing route 130.

The barrier sheet 160 may have at least one longitudinal dimension 142and at least one lateral dimension 144. The longitudinal dimension 142extends generally upward from at least proximate the structural floor120 when the barrier sheet 160 is positioned to limit access to aclimbing route 130 on the climbing wall 110. The lateral dimension 144should be sufficiently large as to effectively prevent, limit or deteraccess to a start of the climbing route 130 on the climbing wall 110when the barrier sheet 160 is positioned with the longitudinal dimension142 extending generally upward from at least proximate the structuralfloor 120. The lateral dimension 144 of the barrier sheet 160 may, forexample, be larger at or proximate a bottom portion 162 of the barriersheet 160 than at or proximate a top portion 164. Although the barriersheet 160 is illustrated in FIG. 1A as triangularly shaped, with thebottom portion 162 larger than the top portion 164, in otherembodiments, the top portion 164 may be larger than the bottom portion162. Further, the barrier sheet 160 may have any of a large variety ofshapes, such as in a semi-circular fashion, rectangular fashion,circular fashion, or the like. Still further, the barrier sheet 160 mayextend between a range of 3 feet to 8 feet in the lateral dimension 144and/or the longitudinal dimension 142. A range of between 3 feet to 8feet, moreover, would be effective in covering for the variousproportions of humans, particularly with respect to reach or arm span,to effectively block access to hand holds at a start of the climbingroute 130.

The barrier sheet 160 is fixable at each distal end of the bottomportion 162 to the climbing wall 110 or structural floor 120. Forexample, an aperture 161 with a respective grommet 165 may be located ateach distal end of the bottom portion 162. Similarly, the top portion164, for instance an apex point of the barrier sheet 160, is fixable tothe climbing wall 110 or structural floor 120. For example, one or moreapertures 171 (one shown) with a respective grommet 165 may be locatedat the apex or top portion 164. While illustrated as including grommets165, alternatively, the barrier sheet 160 may employ tabs or loops whichmay, or may not, include rings (e.g., O-ring, D-ring) or the like inlieu of grommets 165. Grommets 165 may be adjustable to accommodatevarious possible spacings between the threaded apertures 112 orattachment points on the climbing wall 110 or structual floor 120.

The bottom portion 162 may, instead of apertures 161 only at each distalend, include a plurality of fastener points (e.g., apertures 161 andgrommets 165, tabs, loops, rings) positioned at, proximate, or along thebottom portion 162 in order to couple the bottom portion 162 of thebarrier sheet 160 to the climbing wall 110 or the structural floor 120.Similarly, in other embodiments, the top portion 164 may also include aplurality of fastener points (e.g., apertures 171 and grommets 165,tabs, loops, rings) positioned at, proximate, or along the top portion164 in order to detachably couple the top portion 164 of the barriersheet 160 to the auto-belay device 150, for instance via a carabiner.

As shown in FIG. 1 B, fasteners 116 may be received through eachfastener point (e.g., grommet 165, tab, loop, ring) of the bottomportion 162 to couple the bottom portion 162 of the barrier sheet 160 tothe climbing wall 110 via the threaded apertures 112. The fasteners 116may have a head and a stem, the stem partially or fully threaded. Thehead may be an Allen head, a hex-head, or the like. More particularly,the aperture 161 is sized such that only a stem portion of the fastener116 extends therethrough and also prevents passage of the head portionof the fastener 116 through the aperture 161. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 1 B, the fasteners 116 may fasten the bottom portion 162 of thebarrier sheet 160, to the structural floor 120 via threaded apertures112 of the structural floor 120.

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 2, the fastener point (e.g., grommet 165,tab, loop, ring) at or proximate the top portion 164 of the barriersheet 160 is sized and dimensioned to receive a carabiner 153 located atthe end of the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152. Once thetop portion 164 of the barrier sheet 160 is coupled to the carabiner153, the tension in the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152produced by the auto-belay device 150 supports the barrier sheet 160 ina generally upright stance. Thus, the barrier sheet 160 blocks access toat least hand holds that form a start of the climbing route 130. To gainaccess to the climbing route 130, the climber would have to uncouple thetop portion 164 of the barrier sheet 160 from the carabiner 153 prior toascending. As shown in FIG. 2, the climber 132 uncouples the top portion164 of the barrier sheet 160 from the carabiner 153 and piece ofwebbing, cable or climbing rope 152, which results in the barrier sheet160 being unsupported, exposing hand holds at least at the start of theclimbing route 130. At this point the unsupported barrier sheet 160 maybe spread out on the floor. Notably, since the barrier sheet 160 isoften spread out on the floor and may be repeatedly stepped on, thebarrier sheet 160 should be made of wear-resistant materials, forinstance reinforced polyester or nylon. More particularly, as theclimber 132 has to grab and manipulate the carabiner 153 to gain accessto the climbing route 130, the climber 132 is more likely to remember tocouple the carabiner 153 to the climber's harness 146, rather thanascend without coupling to the auto-belay device 150. Should the climberfail to secure the carabiner 153 to their harness, and lets go of thecarabiner 153, the auto-belay device 150 will retract, pulling the endof the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152 to the top of thewall. This requires someone to climb the route without using theauto-belay device 152 to retrieve the end of the piece of webbing, cableor climbing rope 152. Climbers typically attempt to avoid getting acaught in such an embarrassing situation. This approach at least in partmay advantageously remedy the loss of the double-check protocol used inmanual belay situations.

While not illustrated in FIG. 1A, in a typically installation one end ofa tether is fastened to the climbing wall 110 via a fastener 116, with acarabiner at the other end of the tether. The carabiner is coupled tothe end of the piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152, preventingthe climbing rope from being retracted by the auto-belay device 150should the climber 132 unintentionally lets go of the climbing ropewhile roping in to climb. The climber 132 may release or untether thepiece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152 after securing the end ofthe climbing rope 152 to their own harness.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 260. The barriersheet 260 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 260 extendslaterally to form a bottom portion 262 and extends longitudinally withrespect to the bottom portion 262 to form a top portion 264. At eachdistal end of the bottom portion 262, an aperture 261 is provided with agrommet 265 and disposed around the aperture 261. At an apex of thebarrier sheet 260, a loop 266 is coupled to the top portion 264 with aring 267 secured to the loop 266. The loop may take the form of webbingor some other material. The ring 267 is sized and dimensioned to receivea portion of the carabiner therethrough, to support the barrier sheet260 via tension in a piece of webbing, cable or climbing rope 152 (FIG.1A).

FIG. 4 shows another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 360. Thebarrier sheet 360 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 360 extendslaterally to form a bottom portion 362 and extends longitudinally withrespect to the bottom portion 362 to form a top portion 364. At eachdistal end of the bottom portion 362, a piece of webbing 363 extendstherefrom. Similarly, at an apex of the barrier sheet 360, a piece ofwebbing 363 is coupled to the top portion 364. Each piece of webbing 363may have respective apertures 361, 371 with a respective grommet 365disposed therein. The grommets may be metal grommets to provide goodstrength and wear characteristics, particularly where metal fasteners ormetal rings will be received.

FIG. 5 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 460.The barrier sheet 460 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 460extends laterally to form a bottom portion 462 and extendslongitudinally with respect to the bottom portion 462 to form a topportion 464. At each distal end of the bottom portion 462, a piece ofwebbing 463 is coupled thereto. Each piece of webbing 463 includes anaperture 461 with a respective grommet 465 received therein. An aperture471 and a respective grommet 465 are located at a position proximal toan apex of the barrier sheet 460.

FIG. 6 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 560.The barrier sheet 560 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 560extends laterally to form a top portion 564 and extends longitudinallywith respect to the top portion 564 to form a bottom portion 562. Arespective cable 568 is coupled at each distal end of the top portion564 of the barrier sheet 560. Each respective cable 568 further extendsangularly to intersect at an upper apex point 566, where the respectivecables 568 are coupled to a ring 567. An aperture 561 with a respectivegrommet 565 is located at a position proximal to a bottom apex 563 ofthe bottom portion 562 of the barrier sheet 560.

FIG. 7 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 660.The barrier sheet 660 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 660extends laterally to form a top portion 664 and extends longitudinallywith respect to the top portion 664 to form a bottom portion 662. At anupper edge 667 of the top portion 664, a loop 666 is disposed around theupper edge 667. The loop 666 is sized and dimensioned to receive a rod669 therethrough in order to provide rigidity to the barrier sheet 660.The upper edge 667 further includes a piece of webbing 663 centrallypositioned and coupled thereto. The piece of webbing 663 includes atleast one aperture 671 with a respective grommet 665. An aperture 661with a respective grommet 665 is located at a position proximal to anapex of the bottom portion 662.

FIG. 8 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 760.The barrier sheet 760 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 760extends laterally to form a top portion 764 and extends longitudinallywith respect to the top portion 764 to form a bottom portion 762. At anupper edge 767 of the top portion 764, a loop 766 is disposed around theupper edge 767. The loop 766 is sized and dimensioned to receive a rod769 therethrough in order to provide rigidity to the barrier sheet 760.The upper edge 767 includes a piece of webbing 763 centrally positionedand coupled thereto. A cable 768 is coupled to the piece of webbing 763and extends vertically therefrom, with a distal end with respect to theupper edge 767 coupled to a ring 770. An aperture 761 with a respectivegrommet 765 is located at a position proximal to an apex of the bottomportion 762 of the barrier sheet 760.

FIG. 9 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 860.The barrier sheet 860 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 860extends laterally to form a top portion 864 and extends longitudinallywith respect to the top portion 864 to form a bottom portion 862. Arespective cable 868 is coupled at each distal end of the top portion864. Each respective cable 868 further extends angularly to intersect atan upper apex point 866, where the respective cables 868 are coupled toa ring 867. A piece of webbing 863 extends from a position proximal toan apex of the bottom portion 862 of the barrier sheet 860. A cable 878is coupled to the piece of webbing 863 and extends vertically therefrom,with a distal end with respect to the apex of the bottom portion 862coupled to a ring 870.

FIG. 10 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 960.The barrier sheet 960 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 960extends laterally to form a top portion 964 and extends longitudinallywith respect to the top portion 964 to form a bottom portion 962. At anupper edge 967 of the top portion 964, a loop 966 is disposed around theupper edge 967. The loop 966 is sized and dimensioned to receive a rod969 therethrough in order to provide rigidity to the barrier sheet 960.A piece of webbing 963 extends from the upper edge 967, centrallypositioned therealong. The piece of webbing 963 includes an aperture 971and a respective grommet 965. A piece of webbing 973 extends from aposition proximal to an apex of the bottom portion 962 of the barriersheet 960. A cable 978 is coupled to the piece of webbing 973 andextends vertically therefrom, with a distal end with respect to the apexof the bottom portion 962 coupled to a ring 970.

FIG. 11 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a barrier sheet 1060.The barrier sheet 1060 is triangularly shaped. The barrier sheet 1060extends laterally to form a top portion 1064 and extends longitudinallywith respect to the top portion 1064 to form a bottom portion 1062. Atan upper edge 1067 of the top portion 1064, a loop 1066 is disposedaround the upper edge 1067. The loop 1066 is sized and dimensioned toreceive a rod 1069 therethrough in order to provide rigidity to thebarrier sheet 1060. A piece of webbing 1063 extends from the upper edge1067 of the barrier sheet 960, centrally positioned therealong. A cable1068 is coupled to the piece of webbing 1063 and extends verticallytherefrom. A ring 1070 is coupled to a distal end of the piece ofwebbing 1063, with respect to the upper edge 1067. A piece of webbing1073 extends from a position proximal to an apex of the bottom portion1062. A cable 1078 is coupled to the piece of webbing 1073 and extendsvertically therefrom. A ring 1072 is coupled to a distal end of thepiece of webbing 1073, with respect to the apex of the bottom portion1062.

Various components described herein may advantageously provided as akit. The kit may, for example, include a barrier sheet with anchorreceivers, a set of fasteners to fasten the barrier sheet to a climbingwall or floor, one or more carabiners, and instructions. The kit mayalso include a tether, an additional carabiner for the tether, andadditional fastener(s) for the tether.

Various triangular shaped embodiments of barrier sheets have beenillustrated. However barrier sheets with other shapes may be employed,including square, rectangular, parallelogram, rhombus, circular, oval,U-shaped, etc.

Moreover, the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patentapplication publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents,foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to inthis specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet areincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of theembodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of thevarious patents, applications and publications to provide yet furtherembodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

1. A piece of equipment for climbing, comprising: a barrier sheet havinga top portion, a bottom portion vertically opposed across the barriersheet from the top portion, and at least one lateral dimension; acarabiner receiver at least proximate the top portion, the carbineerreceiver having an opening sized and dimensioned to removably receive atleast a portion of a carabiner therethrough; and at least one anchorreceiver at least proximate the bottom portion, each of the at least oneanchor receiver having an opening sized and dimensioned to receive astem portion of an anchor fastener therethrough and to prevent passageof a head portion of the anchor fastener therethrough, to fixedly anchorthe barrier sheet to at least one of a floor or a climbing wallproximate the floor, the at least one lateral dimension of the barriersheet being sufficiently wide to effectively block access to hand holdsat least at a start of a climbing route on a portion of the climbingwall when the carabiner is received by the carabiner receiver, and apiece of webbing, a cable or a climbing rope to which the carabiner isphysically coupled is under tension.
 2. The piece of equipment forclimbing of claim 1 wherein the carabiner receiver is a ring.
 3. Thepiece of equipment for climbing of claim 2, further comprising: at leastone piece of webbing physically coupled to the top portion of thebarrier sheet, wherein the ring is physically coupled to the barriersheet by the at least one piece of webbing.
 4. The piece of equipmentfor climbing of claim 3 wherein the at least one anchor receiverincludes a plurality of grommets.
 5. The piece of equipment for climbingof claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of pieces of webbingphysically coupled along a bottom edge of the barrier sheet, wherein theat least one anchor receiver is at least one respective grommet fixed inthe barrier sheet by a respective one of the plurality of pieces ofwebbing.
 6. The piece of equipment for climbing of claim 3 wherein theat least one anchor receiver includes at least one grommet fixed in thebarrier sheet.
 7. The piece of equipment for climbing of claim 1 whereinthe bottom portion of the barrier sheet is laterally larger than the topportion, and the at least one anchor receiver includes a first anchorreceiver located at least proximate a left lateral edge of the barriersheet and a second anchor receiver located at least proximate a rightlateral edge of the barrier sheet.
 8. The piece of equipment forclimbing of claim 7 wherein the barrier sheet is triangular, and furthercomprising: at least one reinforcement web extending about a peripheryof the barrier sheet and fixed thereto.
 9. The piece of equipment forclimbing of claim 1 wherein the top portion of the barrier sheet islaterally larger than the bottom portion, and further comprising: atleast two tension members each attached to the barrier sheet at leastproximate a top edge thereof and physically coupled to the carabinerreceiver.
 10. The piece of equipment for climbing of claim 9 wherein thebarrier sheet is triangular.
 11. The piece of equipment for climbing ofclaim 1 wherein the top portion of the barrier sheet is laterally largerthan the top bottom portion, and further comprising: at least a rodsupportingly coupled to the barrier sheet extending laterally across thebarrier sheet at least proximate a top edge of the barrier sheet. 12.The piece of equipment for climbing of claim 11 wherein the barriersheet is triangular.
 13. The piece of equipment for climbing of claim 11wherein the at least one lateral dimension of the barrier sheetsufficiently wide to effectively block access to hand holds at least ata start of a climbing route is at least 3 feet wide.
 14. A kit forsecuring climbing routes on climbing walls, the kit comprising: a numberof anchor fasteners; and a barrier, the barrier comprising: a barriersheet which is triangular in shape, having a top portion, a bottomportion, and at least one lateral dimension; a carabiner receiver atleast proximate the top portion, the carbineer receiver having anopening sized and dimensioned to removably receive at least a portion ofa carabiner therethrough; and at least one anchor receiver at leastproximate the bottom portion, each of the at least one anchor receiverhaving an opening sized and dimensioned to receive a stem portion of ananchor fastener therethrough and to prevent passage of a head portion ofthe anchor fastener therethrough, to fixedly anchor the barrier sheet toat least one of a floor or a climbing wall proximate the floor, the atleast one lateral dimension of the barrier sheet sufficiently wide toeffectively block access to a climbing route on a portion of theclimbing wall when the carabiner is received by the carabiner receiverand a piece of webbing, a cable or a climbing rope to which thecarabiner is physically coupled is under tension.
 15. The kit of claim14 wherein the top portion is at an apex of the triangular barrier sheetand the bottom portion extends along an edge of the triangular barriersheet, opposite the apex.
 16. The kit of claim 15 wherein the carabinerreceiver is a ring coupled at least proximate the apex of the triangularbarrier sheet with respect to the bottom portion and the anchor receiverincludes a plurality of grommets coupled at least proximate the edge ofthe triangular barrier sheet, opposite the apex.
 17. The kit of claim14, further comprising: a climbing carabiner; and a tether.
 18. A methodof use of a piece of equipment for climbing, the method comprising:positioning a barrier sheet in front of a climbing route on a climbingwall, the barrier sheet having a top portion, a bottom portionvertically opposed across the barrier sheet from the top portion, and atleast one lateral dimension; anchoring the bottom portion of the barriersheet to at least one of a floor or the climbing wall proximate thefloor in front of the climbing route; and detachably coupling the topportion of the barrier sheet to a carabiner coupled to a piece ofwebbing, a cable or a climbing rope that is for the climbing route. 19.The method of claim 18, further comprising: removing the carabiner froma carabiner receiver to gain access to the climbing route.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: attaching the carabiner to aclimbing harness after removing the carabiner from the carabinerreceiver, the piece of webbing, the cable or the climbing rope attachedto the climbing wall via an auto-belay device; detaching the carabinerfrom the climbing harness after climbing; and reattaching the carabinerto the top portion of the barrier sheet after detaching the carabinerfrom the climbing harness to subsequently deny access to the climbingroute.